Australian journalist Peter Greste (right) and an Al-Jazeera colleague in the Cairo court last month.

AFP: Mahmoud Khaled. File

An Egyptian court says it will issue a verdict in the case of Australian journalist Peter Greste next Monday (June 23).

Greste and two other reporters working for the Qatar-based Al Jazeera English have been detained since December and are among 20 accused, in a trial that has triggered international outrage amid fears of growing media restrictions in Egypt.

However, in a surprise development, Egypt's public prosecutor has ordered the release on medical grounds of Al Jazeera journalist Abdullah Al-Shamy, who has been on hunger strike for more than 130 days in protest over his detention.

In court in Cairo overnight Greste told reporters he was OK, while Al Jazeera producer Mohammed Fahmy was allowed out of the cage to plead his innocence to the judge.

"All the lawyers today made it very clear that we all, that this court is a political case; we are political prisoners," Fahmy said.

Fahmy told reporters the group was "tired of being in that prison".

"We hope that they really get us out of here as soon as possible, he said.

"There's nothing harder than being in prison knowing that you are innocent - that's the hardest part of being in prison.

"I know you all identify with us. Your support in this case is something that really keeps us going."

Worst-case scenario is 'terrifying'

Outside court, Greste's brother Mike said he was relieved a date had finally been set for the verdict but was fearful of what it could bring.

This morning in Brisbane Greste's other family members said they were confident he would be exonerated.

"Next Monday will be the very last session in the trial, so it was pretty clear that he (Peter) wanted to get things over and done with and we'll see a verdict on Monday," Greste's brother Andrew said at a press conference with his parents.

He said the family still had faith the Egyptian legal system was "fair and open".

"There's been no evidence presented against him. We're confident that it will be a good outcome," he said.

When asked if he had spoken to the Australian Government about next week and whether the family was prepared for a guilty verdict, Andrew Greste said they were "prepared for all the different possibilities".

"Obviously though we don't want to become drawn onto that," he said.

"We don't want to compromise anything that may need to happen or may occur after Monday, so we're exploring all options."

The Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, says she is still waiting to speak with Egypt's new foreign minister regarding Greste's case.

"There was a change in foreign minister, a new foreign minister overnight and I've put in place steps to make contact with him as soon as possible," she said.

Of those on trial, 16 are Egyptians charged with joining the Brotherhood, which in the wake of the army ousting elected president Mohamed Morsi last July, was designated a "terrorist" organisation.

Four foreigners, including Greste, are charged with "spreading false news" and collaborating with and assisting the Egyptian defendants in their crimes by providing media material, as well as editing and publishing it.

Nine of the 20 defendants are in detention, with the others being tried in absentia, including three foreign reporters who are abroad.